Northern Territory

Experience different in every sense, no matter where you go in Northern Territory. You’ll find Australia’s biggest experiences in its smallest capital, Darwin. In the heart of town, buildings are splashed with colourful graffiti while galleries showcase local Aboriginal art. Darwin’s food scene is just as vibrant: Indonesian cuisine rolls in with the waves from nearby Southeast Asia, wild caught barramundi is crumbed, seared and smoked in food trucks, and fresh fruit features in every delicious smoothie.

Outside the capital are a collection of incredible national parks. Just south of Darwin, Litchfield National Park offers towering termite mounds and cascading falls perfect for a dip, while those that prefer to stay dry can kayak through Nitmiluk National Park, a breathtaking region layered with ancient stories deeper than its spectacular sandstone gorges. Boasting UNESCO World Heritage status and a saltwater-crocodile-to-man ratio of 20:1, Australia’s largest national park, Kakadu, is an untouched landscape entwined with more than 50,000 years of Aboriginal culture. See both on a tour from Darwin, cooling off at a waterfront bar with sweeping views across the ocean and let days turn into balmy nights as flaming sunsets flood Mindil Beach market.

Continue south to the Red Centre, where tropics roll into an ombre of outback desert hues, revealing a vast landscape dotted with expansive cattle stations, historic stock routes and wayside roadhouses. Visit Alice Springs and waltz along the rim of Kings Canyon. Bear witness to the striking formations of Kata Tjuta and the World Heritage-listed Uluru. As night falls, embrace the outback magic with a once-in-a-lifetime Field of Light and fine dining experience under the stars, before retreating in five-star style to Sails in the Desert, an iconic oasis crowning the outback’s soul-stirring landscape.

Undoubtedly, the source of the NT’s magic comes from those who know the land best, the Indigenous Australians whose Dreamtime stories invite you to connect with your senses to seek a truly different experience. Find a deeper understanding of iconic sites with traditional-owner guides, or apply for permits to visit Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land or the Tiwi Islands to experience some of the country’s best-preserved rock art and most pristine landscapes.